Signs of Climate Change Have Seattle Residents Worried about Property Damage
According to Seattle Weekly, communities across Washington are starting to notice the ill effects of climate change. For property owners, in particular, the climate shift has become a threat to their investments and wellbeing.
In Skagit County, the Swinomish Tribe from Fidalgo Island is already suffering from rising sea levels. More than 160 homes are vulnerable to flooding and property damage, many having already required several attempts at flood repairs. The rising waters are predicted to swallow roads, homes and a huge chunk of the coastline.
Economically, the rising tides are destroying cultural sites, and burying salmon and clam resources. Every ton of burning coal and gallon of gas is adding to global warming by emitting carbon dioxide into the air.
Seattle recently experienced another 13-foot rise in sea water that flooded several homes and damaged roads—and this is just the start, according to many scientists. The Seattle Times reports that oceans are already acidic, streams are flowing in the wrong direction, and forests are dying on a big scale, all of which may be due to climate change.
Alki Beach is an example of how high tides can bury a populated boardwalk. The Duwamish River flows inland during king tides, swallowing public parks and roads in Georgetown and South Park. Government infrastructure is currently suffering complications from rising waters, affecting water-treatment plants, sewage systems and other essential services.
Salt water is mixing with the city’s sewage treatment system, causing rapid corrosion of equipment. Foul freshwater aquifers are being threatened by saltwater flowing into inland wells, and this is causing massive erosion along shorelines. More than 3,000 miles of coastline is inhabited by people, and they are all vulnerable to rising sea levels.
The Swinomish Tribe is preparing for this catastrophe, and Seattle residents should follow their example. A few government entities are working together to create a contingency plan based on action, and they are prioritizing the preservation of coastlines, the economic harvest of salmon and shellfish, the prevention of agricultural pollutants flowing into the sea and the conservation of essential infrastructure.
Homeowners in Seattle must prepare for rising sea levels. If you have suffered damage from rising tides or flooding from rain, call Allied Restoration Company at 425-458-5756. We can assess the damage and provide a free estimate for flood repairs in Seattle.